"He's a guy who has grown on the ice and he has shown he can handle the big-time situations," USA center David Backes said. "He is out there making plays all of the time. He's got composure. He doesn't get rattled when someone is in his face. That growth is great for our team."

The Americans will be the No. 2 seed going into the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

The speedy Kessel came into the Olympics with a sizzling run of 10 goals and 13 assists in his last 12 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also registered a goal and two assists in his first game against Slovakia and an assist against Russia, meaning Kessel has 14 goals and 16 assists in his past 15 games. Those are Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux numbers.

"He's a guy who is pouring them in the net and when you have a guy like that, you ride him as long as you can," Backes said.

U.S. coach Dan Bylsma is using Kessel on the right wing with his regular Toronto linemate James van Riemsdyk on the left and the San Jose Sharks' Joe Pavelski at center. Kessel played with Pavelski on the 2010 team.

"You just have to come over here and do the best you can to win," Kessel said.

Coming into the tournament, it was thought that Phil might not even be the highest-scoring Kessel in the tournament because his sister, Amanda, is a key forward for the U.S. women's team. Going into the men's quarterfinals and women's semifinals, Phil has a 7-4 lead over Amanda in points. She has two goals and two assists.

The Americans were pleased with the win, but they know they will have to be sharper moving forward into the quarterfinals. They didn't have the same jump they had against the Russians. That was predictable because of the emotion and intensity they needed to take down the Russians 3-2 in overtime.

"We have a hunger to win and so far it's going our way," said U.S. captain Zach Parise.

General manager David Poile built his roster around the idea that he wanted to put together a great team and not a collection of the 20 best players. He seems to have accomplished that objective.

"We have some guys stepping up and scoring goals, and we have some guys blocking shots," said Oshie, whose playing time swelled to 14 minutes after being the shootout hero against Russia.

Sweden forward Marcus Kruger (16) bats the puck out of the air in front of Slovenia forward Robert Sabolic (55) in the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Bolshoy Ice Dome.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports

USA forward Phil Kessel (81) is congratulated by forward James van Riemsdyk (21) and forward Joe Pavelski (8) after scoring his second goal of the first period against Slovenia.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

Dieter Ruehle of Burbank, CA prepares his keyboard before a men's ice hockey preliminary round game. Ruehle has been the organist at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the Kings and Lakers since 1989.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports